Tag Archive: Business & Economy – Intermediate

Starbucks plans to raise prices due to inflation

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you drink coffee/tea? In your country, how much is a typical cup of coffee from the vending machine? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. inflation /in-FLEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a general, continuous increase in prices The survey showed that 38% of Americans are worried about inflation. labor /LEY-ber/ [noun] – workers The newly elected senator addressed the labor concerns. chain /cheyn/ [noun] – a set of connected or related things Bea’s family owns a chain of computer shops. struggle /STRUHG-uhl/ [verb] – to experience difficulty and make a very…
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Google to invest up to $1 billion in India’s Bharti Airtel

Google to invest up to $1 billion in India's Bharti Airtel

©Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What business skills do you have? What mobile network operator is used by the majority in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. invest /in-VEST/ [verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage The company will invest $5 million in the project. acquire /uh-KWAHYUHR/ [verb] – to buy or take control of a company or part of a company, often by buying shares in it Jolly Food Corporation had just acquired shares from Mr. Dough’s Bakeshop. agreement /uh-GREE-muhnt/…
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America’s wages are going up—but so is inflation

America's wages are going up, but so is inflation

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What images spring to your mind when you hear the country USA? What prices do you care about most and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wage /weyj/ [noun] – a fixed regular payment earned for work or services, typically paid on a daily or weekly basis She works long hours to take home huge wages. industry /IN-duh-stree/ [noun] – the companies and activities involved in the process of producing goods for sale, especially in a factory or special area The electricity industry consumes large amounts of fossil fuels. expense…
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Netflix raises its monthly rates in US and Canada

Netflix raises its monthly subscription prices in US and Canada

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some of your favorite TV shows? What online video services do you use? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rate /reyt/ [noun] – an amount or level of payment We sell these high-quality products at reasonable rates. standard /STAN-derd/ [adjective] – usual rather than special, especially when thought of as being correct or acceptable Let’s just avail of the standard room package for our hotel stay to save money. utilize /YOOT-l-ahyz/ [verb] – to use something in an effective way The team utilized an effective marketing strategy to improve…
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Burger King launches vegan nuggets in the UK

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©BBC via GETTY IMAGES Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat fast food? Do you prefer dining in restaurants over takeout or delivery? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. launch /lawnch/ [verb] – to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product My cousin finally launched her own clothing line. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] – important or noticeable Kim noticed a significant difference in prices between the two stores. unsuitable /uhn-SOO-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – not acceptable or right for someone or something; not suitable Her clothes were unsuitable for…
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Rules for creating gene-edited farm animals to prioritize animal welfare

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why is DNA important? What do you think about gene editing? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. regulation /reg-yuh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – an official rule or the act of controlling something The bus driver violated the traffic regulation. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn / [noun] – the process of making or growing goods to be sold Coke is used in the production of steel. welfare /WEL-fair/ [noun] – the general state of health or degree of success of a person, business, country, etc. We are a company that cares about its employees’ welfare. commercial /kuh-MUR-shuhl/…
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Spotify experiments a vertical video feature similar to TikTok

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why did Tiktok become popular? What songs/kinds of music do you usually listen to? Could you tell me more about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. feature /FEE-cher/ [noun] – a typical quality or an important part of something Several new features have been added to our most recent cell phone model. viewer /VYOO-er/ [noun] – a person who watches something Millions of viewers watched the Superbowl video online. statement /STEYtT-muhnt/ [noun] – something that someone says or writes officially, or an action done to express an opinion The government…
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Spam sales hit record high for the seventh consecutive year

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©BBC via GETTY IMAGES Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some trusted food brands in your country? Have you tried different Spam flavors? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. generate /JEN-uh-reyt / [verb] – to cause something to exist The mayor’s latest project generated 2,000 jobs. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way Rin would like to expand her restaurant business in New York. range /reynj/ [noun] – a set of similar things The boutique offers a range of jewelry from Europe. transform…
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Unwrapping your Spotify Wrapped this year

Unwrapping your Spotify Wrapped this year

©Spotify Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What new music have you bought or listened to recently? Do you use Spotify to listen to music and/or podcasts? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. present /PREZ-uhnt/ [verb] – to give, provide, or make something known The company’s sales for this year will be presented at the meeting. launch /lawnch/ [verb] – to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product Our new skincare product will be launched next month. worldwide /WURLD-WAHYD/ [adjective] – existing or happening in all…
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Samsung to generate 2,000 jobs in Texas with a $17 billion chip manufacturing facility

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why is generating jobs important? Where can we use computer chips? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shortage /SHAWR-tij / [noun] – a situation in which there is not enough of something There’s a shortage of food in the refugee camps. capacity /kuh-PAS-i-tee/ [noun] – the total amount that can be contained or produced The concert arena has a seating capacity of 50,000. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to give something, especially money, in order to provide or achieve something together with other people My family has contributed…
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